Continuing in the philanthropic tradition of our company, we proudly supported our long-standing partners,CHOC Children’s and KaBOOM!, helping to ensure that generations of children will have access to state-of-the-art health care in Orange County and much-needed play spaces. In an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles, we planted community gardens and created Spanish-language videos to promote healthy cooking. Our Disney VoluntEARS, who will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2013, were as active as ever – contributing more than 92,000 hours of volunteer time to local organizations. These are just a few of the ways in which we connected with our community and addressed real needs to enrich the lives of our neighbors – amounting to more than $16 million in volunteer hours, cash and in-kind donations.

As Orange County’s largest employer, we are committed to promoting growth in Southern California; adding 5,000 new jobs and generating $19 billion in economic activity during the past five years. We are optimistic about the year ahead and look forward to your continued partnership. On behalf of our 25,000 cast members who live and work in the community, thank you for being part of our family. We are truly honored to be a part of yours!

Get the new year started right with a visit to the Disneyland Resort! From now through February 26, you can save up to $30 per ticket on visits through March 11, 2013, with our newest ticket offer – a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket for just $220 ($205 for kids ages 3 to 9). Tickets can only be purchased in advance and they’re not available at the box office*, so buy them online at Disneyland.com/3day.

Read below for more details you’ll need to know, and grab your 3-Day Park Hopper ticket for just $220 now atDisneyland.com/3day!

*NOT AVAILABLE AT THE BOX OFFICE. Savings based on the Box Office price of a standard 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket. Ticket expires 13 days after the first day of use or on March 11, 2013, whichever occurs first. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per day and tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use. Not valid with any other ticket discount or promotion. Subject to capacity, restrictions and change without notice.

**Magic Morning admission allows admission into selected attractions of Disneyland park before the park opens to the general public according to the current early admission schedule. Each guest must have valid theme park admission. To enhance the Magic Morning experience, it is strongly recommended that guests arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening. Magic Morning admission is based on availability and capacity. Applicable days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores and restaurants and appearances of characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to restrictions and cancellation.

Every month, Disney Parks will offer new ear hats to add to your collection as part of “Limited Time Magic.” January will start with five new Ear Hats. Which one is your favorite?

We’ll be posting “Limited Time Magic” updates on Fridays during 2013 so be sure and check the Disney Parks Blog to find out what’s coming to the parks. You can also find updates on Twitter using the hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic and on our limitedtimemagic.com web page.

In honor of 2013, Disney Parks is giving away a vacation every day in the month of January. There are several “options” which you can choose from. All includes a 5 day/4 night stay with special in room accommodations air transportation, theme park tickets, $500 Disney gift card and a themed welcome basket. “Options” vary from selecting

We’re also excited to announce that 2013 will be the “Year of the Ear” at Disney Parks. Every month, Disney Parks will release new ear hats to add to your collection as part of “Limited Time Magic.” January will start with the limited release of Disney Couture Ear Hats. And each month, there will be fun designs to discover.

And we’re not done yet. We’ll have more “Limited Time Magic” information to share today on the Disney Parks Blog, including an exciting announcement to kick off the New Year at the Disneyland Resort. Be sure and check the blog later and remember that you can also find updates on Twitter using hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic and on our LimitedTimeMagic.com web page.

As in years past, please enjoy caroling about the ways in which the Disneyland Resort supported the local community in 2012. And if you don’t feel like caroling, check out the video instead – it recaps many of the Resort’s efforts to support the community during a year that was not only focused on the grand reopening ofDisney California Adventure park, but also on enriching the lives of our neighbors!

Giving Around the CommunityTo the tune of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

Giving around the community
At the Disneyland Resort,
Helping nonprofits in the OC
New records to report!

“Limited Time Magic” will run through the calendar year of 2013 and the program will feature a variety of surprises – most lasting just one week, some longer and disappearing after just one day. You’ll be able to find out what’s happening during the year by checking the Disney Parks Blog on Fridays. We’ll also be posting updates on Twitter using hashtag #LimitedTimeMagic as well as on the LimitedTimeMagic.com web page.

Be sure to visit the Disney Parks Blog on Friday, Dec. 28 and see how we’re kicking off “Limited Time Magic.”

As my fellow author Jennifer Fickley-Baker recently shared, this week marks the debut of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. At Disney Theme Park Merchandise, we’ve introduced a variety of Oswald merchandise this past year in honor of his 85th anniversary. Being a fan of Walt Disney Company history, I find it wonderful to see so many new items featuring this classic character. Here is a quick look at some of the Oswald merchandise.

One of the more celebrated (and highly desired) items created this year was an Oswald hat. The hat was created for our partners with Disney Interactive Studios to celebrate the upcoming release of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two on November 18. The hats were distributed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo and at San Diego Comic Con this past summer. I’m happy to report a Disney Parks version will be released in late October/early November. The hat features a different Oswald logo than the previous hat but is still just as awesome (I intend to wear it while playing the game).

This past summer also saw the opening of Oswald’s on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park. This new location contains a variety of “road trip essentials” including autograph books, hats, bag and more. During a recent visit to the park, I spotted the amazing vintage-inspired knitted Oswald plush. Denise Edelmaier, product developer for plush, said that the knitted plush was in development for about three years as they finally found a way to make the plush extra soft (early versions were too coarse).

Oswald also found his way onto a popular men’s tee-shirt and a collectible big figurine (or “big fig” as we sometimes call it) designed by Disney Design Group artist Randy Noble.

Disney pins started celebrating Oswald in January by releasing an 85th anniversary pin. We also released an open-edition pin, a limited-edition pin and a Hidden Mickey pin for Disneyland Resort. Look for another open-edition pin next spring.

But one of my favorite items (besides the hat) will be a new 3-inch Vinylmation figure from the Classic Collection series designed by Disney artist Eric Caszatt. Planned for release in early November, Oswald will be the mystery chaser figure. I know, it’s a spoiler but I couldn’t resist – the figure looks great!

I recently visited California, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my Disney career. Imagineer Vanessa Hunt gave me a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library vault in Glendale. This place houses the original art of the most iconic images from Disney Parks’ history. Incredible! Vanessa shared that fellow Imagineer Danny Handke and she have written a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks.” This hardcover book, with cover designed by Imagineer Glendon Lee, is coming to Disney Parks at the end of May. I asked Danny about the role that attraction posters have played.

“Attraction posters entice, excite and educate guests with a preview of the adventures and experiences inside the Disney Parks,” explained Danny.

“When Disneyland park opened in 1955, it was difficult for guests to understand what a ‘theme park’ was. The Disney Imagineers needed a solution to portray their attractions to a diverse audience. The idea to use posters at Disneyland’s Main Entrance was the perfect solution.”

The book was in development for four years! They conducted extensive research by interviewing close to 20 people, including current and former artists. Vanessa said that they put extra effort into making a beautiful book that all Disney fans could enjoy.

“We made an extra effort to ensure the posters in the book were printed as color accurate as possible,” continued Vanessa. “We even found a box containing several poster concepts that had never been published until now. The most challenge part was identifying artists. While many unidentified posters artists were later identified during our interviews, there are some that remain credited to ‘Unknown Artist.’”

I asked Danny about his favorite poster.

“I love the Tokyo DisneySea posters,” said Danny. “They are interesting because they reflect an overall cohesive design, but are stylistically individual to each land. Not many fans are familiar with the Tokyo DisneySea posters, so we hope everyone will appreciate this unique chapter in the book.”

“I love all of them, but the one that catches my eye every time I open the drawer is the Grand Canyon Diorama poster from Disneyland,” explained Vanessa. “The colors are absolutely beautiful and the train design is fantastic!”

And this summer, both parks will open each day at 8 a.m. and offer increased entertainment, giving you and your family more time to stay and play. At Disney California Adventure park, we’re adding an additional showing of “Aladdin – a Musical Spectacular” and Pixar Play Parade will be presented up to twice daily. At Disneyland park, you’ll find more shows and characters at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree and increased performances at the Tomorrowland Terrace every day of the week, and the singing sensation “Voices of Liberty” performing at the Main Street Opera House.

We’re sharing the details here on the ticket prices, which also include increases to Disneyland Resort Annual Passports. Annual Passholders recognize that their investment pays for itself after just a few visits. Our California-based Annual Passholders have the added benefit and flexibility of a monthly payment program. This year, we’ll continue to offer unique passholder-exclusive entertainment and experiences, along with 10-20% discounts on select food and merchandise. As an example, you already know that Annual Passholders were invited to special viewings to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Fantasmic!” And later this summer, Passholders also will have early access to the parks through a new Annual Passholder Early Entry program – just for them. Details on this program were announced earlier this week here.

There are other ways to save when you visit. The popular 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket gives guests access to both parks on the same day, or if you are planning on playing with us longer, multi-day tickets also offer a variety of options for you to save on your California vacation. All updated pricing can be found here. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets on May 20.

DLNT Reporter Michael Wada was at the Disneyland Resort this past weekend and got some great pictures of Fantasy Faire and of the Oz hot air balloon. As part as a multi-city promotion, The “Journey to Oz Balloon Tour” landed this weekend at the Disneyland Resort and yes it is a real hot air balloon […]

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog: If you’re – like me – counting down the days until “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in theaters March 8, I’ve got exciting news for you. From February 16-March 31, Disney California Adventure park guests can experience a special sneak peek of Disney’s new fantastical adventure as part […]